Page 34 of His Little Devil

It's not long after the credits roll that Mylie is sound asleep, leaning on my chest, and my doorknob is turning.

I gave Myah a key because this has happened before, and I had to wake the squirt to open the door.

I gently move Mylie onto the couch and place a blanket over her, then stand and walk right into the kitchen.

Myah looks relaxed and has a big smile on her face. She follows me and takes a seat at the table as I grab us some water.

Looking right into her blue eyes, I mumble under my breath and wave my hand, placing a silencing bubble around us.

She quickly stands and places her hands out, palms facing me.

“Don, please, you have to understand. I didn't know it was you at first,” she starts rambling and I pause, confused.

“Why would you know me?” I thought she was just a witch in hiding. “You better start talking, Myah. If that's even your name,” I growl and she sighs, dropping her head into her hands.

Sniffles reach my ears, but I don't let her emotions faze me. I thought she was my friend here. Now, I don’t know what to believe.

We have had many chats, sometimes late into the night. I was honest when I said I would never try anything with her, but it was nice not being completely alone here.

“Eight years ago, I went to a party at Alistar Academy. I was meeting one of my friends from school. I never knew about witches back then.” She sighs and takes her seat again.

I lean against the kitchen wall and wait for her to continue.

“It was fun, and I was having a great trip. My friend, Sharla, suggested we go check out this brunch place at the Blake hotel. It was delicious, and while I was there, I met this handsome man. He was a few years older than me, but not much…”

She looks up at me, and I groan. I think I know where this is going, and now things are making sense.

“His name was Tobias, and I slept with him… a few times. I didn't know that he had glamoured himself to look younger, or that you were his son until you told me your real name a few nights ago.”

“Mylie's my sister. Isn't she? I couldn't understand why I felt this innate connection to her…”

Myah nods and looks up at me with her watery-blue eyes. “I think I'm the reason that you're here. This place is a safe haven for magical creatures, but lately, Mylie has been asking more and more about her dad and his side of the family,” she says quietly, looking over toward the couch, but Mylie is still asleep, and I have a barrier around us.

“She's strong. She will need protection. I'm not ready to go back to Salem yet, but when I do, you and Mylie will be coming with me. My brothers will keep you both safe,” I swear to her, and she gives me a smile.

“Thank you, Don. I… I don't want your father knowing about her. I've worked hard to keep her a secret… The night I left was when I found out I was pregnant. I was scared, and I went to tell him… I saw…”

Shaking her head, she closes her eyes. “There was so much blood. That poor man.”

I huff and roll my eyes. My father has never been one to hide his ‘extracurriculars’. Knowing him, he was probably in the middle of a sacrifice.

“I saw who he really was that night, and made a promise that I would do anything and everything to keep my baby safe.”

“I'll make sure she stays hidden. For all I care, you can claim I'm her father.”

Myah snorts and looks at me in horror. “Don, she's seven. That would have made you sixteen!”

Rubbing my hand down my face, I laugh, then yawn. “Math has never been my best subject, and honestly it’s not as crazy of an age these days as you’d think.”

Pushing her chair back, she stands and moves closer to me. “Thank you. I know I will never be able to repay you.”

I swiftly grab her arm and pull her into a tight hug. “We're family, Myah, and you've become one of my best friends here. Blood isn't always thicker when it comes to creating your own comfort and peace.”

She nods, and I let her go.

“It's late. I better wake the princess and bring her home. I don't want to tell Mylie who you are just yet… I think she suspects. She mentioned that she feels warmth when you're around. I don't have a clue. Maybe it's a witch thing,” she mumbles, and I laugh, then lift my hand and dispel the silencing bubble around us.

“What’s that?” Myah asks, pointing toward the package I forgot about. I shrug and grab it, opening the box.